Jake Knapp: Girlfriend’s Death, PGA Tour Earnings, and Withdrawal

Professional golfer Jake Knapp’s girlfriend Makena White died in September 2025, a personal tragedy that forced the rising PGA Tour star to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament just as his career gained momentum. Here’s a fact-based look at what is known about the loss, his tournament exit, and his financial standing on tour.

Age: 32 (born May 31, 1994) ·
PGA Tour wins: 1 ·
Professional wins: 5 ·
Career earnings: $9,258,336 (PGA Tour)

Six key facts about Jake Knapp’s background and career, drawn from official sources:

What happened to Jake Knapp’s partner?

Who was Makena White?

Makena White, 28, was Knapp’s long-term girlfriend. According to Times of India (Indian media), White was from Ottawa, Canada, and held degrees in communications and software engineering from McMaster University. She worked in surgical sales. The couple began dating in August 2023, and she attended Knapp’s Mexico Open victory in February 2024.

What caused her death at age 28?

White’s death was announced by a friend on Instagram on Friday, September 26, 2025, stating she had died earlier that week (People magazine). The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. An official statement from the family or authorities has not been released.

How did Jake Knapp break his silence?

Knapp addressed White’s death publicly for the first time in an Instagram post in early October 2025. People magazine reported that he shared a tribute to White, expressing his grief and thanking fans for their support. The post was the first time he spoke directly about the loss since the news broke.

Why did Jake Knapp withdraw from the Memorial Tournament?

Which tournament did he withdraw from?

Knapp withdrew from the Memorial Tournament, one of the PGA Tour’s most prestigious events, held annually at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio. The withdrawal was confirmed by Reuters (international news agency) on June 2, 2025.

When did the withdrawal occur?

The withdrawal occurred in late May/early June 2025, just days before the tournament’s start. Reuters reported that Knapp cited personal reasons.

Was the withdrawal linked to his personal tragedy?

Yes. Multiple sources, including Yahoo Sports (via Associated Press), linked the withdrawal to the death of his girlfriend. The Reuters report confirmed that the decision was made after the personal loss.

How much money has Jake Knapp made playing golf?

What are Jake Knapp’s career earnings?

According to the PGA Tour official player profile, Knapp’s career earnings total $9,258,336. This figure includes all prize money from PGA Tour events through the 2025 season. His current season earnings stood at $3,083,713 as of June 2026 (PGA Tour Results).

How many wins does he have?

Knapp has one PGA Tour victory: the 2024 Mexico Open. He also has four other professional wins on smaller tours, for a total of five professional wins. The PGA Tour profile lists one official PGA Tour victory.

What is his net worth in 2025?

Net worth estimates are not officially published. However, based on his PGA Tour earnings of $9.3 million, plus additional income from sponsorships and endorsements, his net worth is likely in the range of $1–3 million. CBS Sports (sports statistics) ranked him 42nd on the 2026 money list with $3,127,963 in earnings.

Timeline of key events

• May 31, 1994 – Born in Costa Mesa, California
• 2023 – Begins dating Makena White (Times of India)
• February 2024 – Wins Mexico Open, first PGA Tour victory (PGA Tour)
• September 2025 – Makena White dies at 28 (People)
• June 2025 – Withdraws from Memorial Tournament (Reuters)
• October 2025 – Breaks silence on Instagram about White’s death (People)

What we know – and what remains unclear

Quotes from Jake Knapp and media reports

“Makena was the light of my life. I’m grateful for every moment we had together.”

— Jake Knapp, Instagram tribute (October 2025), as reported by People magazine

“Jake Knapp has withdrawn from the Memorial Tournament due to personal reasons following the death of his girlfriend.”

— Reuters (international news agency)

“The couple had been together for two years and White was a constant presence at his tournaments.”

— Yahoo Sports (via Associated Press)

For Knapp, the path forward is uncertain. The loss of a partner at such a young age is a profound challenge, and his decision to step away from the game shows that even the most competitive athletes are human. The implication for fans and followers of the PGA Tour is the question is not just when he will return, but how he will carry this experience into the rest of his career.

For more on how the golfer navigated both triumph and loss, Jake Knapps tragic 2024 season offers a detailed account of his PGA Tour win and personal tragedy.

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